Dublin is cause of dairy woes

THE time has come for the Government to cut the dairy industry some slack. Even as Brussels pumps money into supporting the dairy market, to keep farmers’ heads above water, Dublin has dragged them down, with payment delays, budget cuts, and our national credit crisis.

Nor has nature done any favours, with a cold, wet spring making it hugely challenging to make the most of Ireland’s relatively cheap grass feeding.

Absolutely nothing can be done about the weather, other than adjust as well as possible, but the Government can throw frozen-out and waterlogged milk producers a lifeline by making an early decision on how it will distribute available EU funding.